How to tell them apart
ごとに marks regular intervals in a sequence (一課ごとに, 三日ごとに), so it fits fixed spacing like every third day. たびに marks each occurrence of an event triggering something (話すたびに), so it fits whenever-type situations. Swapping them is unnatural: 三日たびに sounds odd for a fixed interval, and 話すごとに sounds odd for an event trigger.
- ごとに Use ごとに when actions repeat at fixed temporal or spatial intervals.
- たびに Use たびに when each occurrence of an event triggers another action.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| ごとに gotoni | each time, at every interval | N4 |
| たびに tabini | Each time, whenever something occurs | N3 |
ごとに gotoni
each time, at every interval
ごとに attaches to a noun (or a plain-form verb, as in 終えるごとに) to show that something happens at each occurrence of that noun or verb, or at regular intervals such as ４年ごとに. It is neutral in register and common in both speech and writing.
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私は仕事を一つ終えるごとにリストの上でチェックする。
I check off each task on my list as soon as I complete it.
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私たちはアメリカにいたころ日曜日ごとに教会へ行った。
We went to church every Sunday when we were in America.
たびに tabini
Each time, whenever something occurs
たびに means that whenever one action happens, something else always happens along with it. It attaches directly to the plain (dictionary) form of a verb, as in 訪ねるたびに or 見るたびに, and the second clause describes a recurring result or feeling.
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彼は私たちを訪ねるたびにちょっとした土産を持ってきた。
He brought us a small gift each time he called on us.
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あの歌を聞くたびに、私の高校時代のことを思い出す。
I can not hear that song without thinking of my high school days.
ごとに and たびに are JLPT N4–N3 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.